Sirach 5
5
Always Keep God in Mind
1Don't trust your wealth
and say,
“I don't need anyone's help.
2I'm strong and smart enough
to get anything I want,
3and no one has the power
to make me obey.”
Talk like that,
and God will punish you!
4 #
Ec 8.11. And don't reply, “I sinned,
but God didn't punish me.”
God was being patient.
5Never be so sure
of his forgiveness
that you keep on sinning
6and say, “God is very kind,
and he will forgive me
even though I sin a lot.”
Yes, God is kind,
but he also gets angry
and punishes sinners.
7Turn back to the Lord now—
don't wait until tomorrow.
If he gets angry,
he will quickly punish you
with death.
8And wealth gained by cheating
won't save you from disaster.
Stand Up for What You Believe
9Not every wind is good
for blowing away husks
from threshed grain.
And not every path leads
where you want to go.
But sinners will say anything
to get what they want.#5.9 But sinners … want: Greek; these words are not in the Hebrew text.
10Stand up for what you believe,
and don't change what you say
from one time to the next.
11Be willing to listen to anyone,
but think before you answer.
12Then speak up, if you know
what to say;
and if not, just keep quiet.
13Your words can bring you honor,
but they can also cause
your ruin and disgrace.
14When you speak,
don't tear others down
or try to make them say
something wrong.
You would receive
severe punishment,
far worse than the shame
felt by thieves.
15So don't make big mistakes,
or even little ones,
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Sirach 5: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.